Primary principal members of NZEI Te Riu Roa have voted to accept the Ministry of Education’s collective agreement offer.
A majority of members voted to accept the offer, which includes a 2.5 percent immediate pay rise, followed by a 2.1 percent rise in 12 months.
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The agreement contains an extension of the U-grade pay scale under which members’ salaries are determined; previously, U16 was the highest band, but U17-19 have been added to unify the pay system.
The new collective agreement covers a 30-month term, running from the date of ratification until 27 August 2028.
Related School News article: NZEI, PPTA area school members reject Collective Agreement
The settlement also includes a $15,000 allowance to recognise the significant workload driven by the government’s rapid curriculum changes. Payments will be made in $3000 increments across the agreement’s effective period to March 2028.
“The $15,000 change management allowance is a necessary recognition of the immense pressure involved in implementing wholesale curriculum change, but it is in no way an endorsement of its content,” said Stephen Lethbridge, a member of the NZEI Te Riu Roa bargaining team.
“This result highlights the power of our collective voice and demonstrates that we are stronger together at the bargaining table,” Mr Lethbridge said.
“By speaking with one voice, we have secured a collective agreement that reflects our shared commitment to the profession.”
Another feature of the new agreement is an increase to the base payments for leadership in literacy and numeracy, with payments in recognition of the work principals do to lead the curriculum in schools; this will increase to $10,000 over the agreement’s term.
